By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
At 4-1, the HEIR 7U Airstrike team is making a strong case for a championship run. Despite playing up in the 8U division, these seven-year-old athletes are performing at an impressive level, showing that age is just a number when matched with determination and skill.
Sosaia Toutai Jr., the son of head coach Sosaia Toutai Sr., has emerged as one of the team’s leaders. Playing both offensive line and defensive end, Sosaia Jr. is confident in his team’s chances of going far this season. “My team is strong, and we are winners. We have won a lot of games, and my teammates are strong,” he said, emphasizing the confidence his teammates share.
Starting quarterback and team captain Khalil Ladd also believes his team can make a deep playoff run. His optimism stems from their ability to score consistently. “Our team is good because my teammates keep getting touchdowns,” Ladd shared. “My teammates and I are together as a team—we gel.”
Head coach Sosaia Toutai Sr., in his first year of coaching, feels optimistic about the team’s potential. Originally from Riverside, California, Toutai’s family relocated to Vancouver, Washington, where he grew up and fell in love with football. He played football from middle school through high school, a passion that would later inspire him to take up coaching.
“We grew up in the projects, so my parents moved us to Vancouver, Washington. I started grade school there, and I graduated from Heritage High School, where I played football as a tackle and tight end,” Toutai recalled.
Coaching wasn’t initially on his radar, but as a parent watching his son play football, Toutai noticed a gap in fundamental training for the young athletes. This led him to step in and assist the team.
“Last year, when my son started at 6U, I was just a parent. But having played football, I noticed things that weren’t being implemented to help the boys develop,” Toutai said. “I started helping out, and they allowed me to do that. It was about benefiting my son and his teammates.”
That willingness to contribute didn’t go unnoticed. When the head coaching position opened this season, Toutai was offered the role by the organization’s director, Reggie, based on the efforts he and his wife had put into supporting the team. “Reggie saw the work we were putting in and offered me the head coaching job,” he said.
Coaching a group of seven-year-olds comes with its challenges, especially when it comes to keeping their attention and focus. Yet, despite their age, Toutai describes his young players as determined and coachable.
“These kids are very determined. They’re very coachable,” Toutai said, explaining the reason behind renaming the team to Airstrike. “I wanted to give them a mindset that we’re here to make an impact. We were told we wouldn’t win more than two games this year because we’re playing in the 8U division. But once we started training, we haven’t lost since the first game. They’re fighting for the guy next to them, and they’re like family.”
One of the most impressive aspects of the team is their size and physicality. Though they are just seven years old, Toutai says they play beyond their years.
“These kids are big hitters. Sometimes I forget they’re seven. When they’re dialed in, they know their roles, hit hard, and play like older kids,” he said. The team’s offensive and defensive lines have been particularly strong, with the linemen handling pressure all game long. “We only have one set of linemen, but they’re in the whole game because of their size and ability. The skill guys—our running backs and receivers—are all dialed in.”
However, like all teams, the HEIR 7U Airstrike has its challenges. According to Toutai, the biggest obstacle isn’t their in-game performance, but getting the players to consistently show up for practice.
“The only weakness we have is getting them to show up for practice,” Toutai admitted. “They’re always there for the games and the bonding, but practice can be a struggle. Personally, I hated practice as a young player too, so I understand. But it’s an area we need to work on.”
From the player’s perspective, team captain Khalil Ladd is aware of what needs improvement for the team to stay competitive.
“We need to work on not fumbling the ball,” Ladd said. “We also have to tackle better and not get as many penalties during the game.”
That camaraderie is what holds the team together, even when things get tough. Toutai Sr. emphasized how his players treat each other like brothers, and how their unity on the field has been key to their success so far.
“We have a lot of star players, but everybody shines together,” he said. “They fight for each other, and that’s what makes this team special.”
As the HEIR 7U Airstrike continues its promising season, the players and coaches are hopeful that their dedication and bond will carry them to a championship. With strong leadership from players like Sosaia Jr. and Khalil Ladd, and the guidance of a coach who believes in them, the Airstrike has already defied expectations. The road to the postseason may still be long, but this team of seven-year-olds is proving that they have what it takes to go the distance.
“What makes my team good is work, a lot of training,” Sosaia Jr. said confidently. “Plus, we are fast. We put a lot of work in and we are together—we trust each other.”
